Prince William Couldn’t Hide His Stress During ‘Managed’ Easter Outing
Prince William, the Princess of Wales (formerly known as Kate Middleton), their three children, and several other members of the royal family attended the 2026 Easter Matins Service at St. George’s Chapel on Sunday. This marked the family’s first gathering since Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest on Feb. 19.
Several royals have faced heckling and questions about the disgraced royal recently while they’ve been out and about for engagements. The crowds gathered at Windsor Castle to see the family on Easter Sunday were heard just sending well-wishes to the family as they walked to services.
However, an expert observed Prince William doing something that proved the stress and shame his Uncle Andrew brought to the monarchy is still weighing on him.
Darren Stanton is a body language and behavioral expert with a degree in psychology. He previously worked as a police officer and used his expertise to uncover the truth when interviewing hundreds of suspects. He later moved into media and TV as a consultant and has been dubbed the “Human Lie Detector.”
Stanton said the royals’ united front with the Waleses leading the rest of the family was “managed,” and William attempted to show confidence by refraining from putting his hands in his pockets as some of the other men did.
Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, he told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “The order is obviously quite managed, with Kate and William at the front, leading the way. Kate’s posture and the way she was walking exuded confidence and happiness. She was smiling at the cameras with William … He didn’t have his hands in his pockets the way other members of the family did.”
While William did not have his hands in his pockets as noted, another expert pointed out what the Prince of Wales did do that showed he was “anxious” during the walk to the chapel.
Judi James is a body language and behavioral expert who has authored more than a dozen books. She observed, “It was only William showing a subtle tell of any anxiety with a gesture he shares ironically with his brother when they are under scrutiny or pressure, which is the hand placed over the stomach in a self-soothing barrier ritual.”
William and Kate will reportedly be taking a break for a few weeks now while Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are on break from school.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror, “Both William and Catherine have put in quite a shift in recent weeks and months. They’ve been out and about, up and down the country. So I think they’ll feel justified in taking as much time as they can over the Easter holidays to be with their children. I know people say ‘Well, I work hard too, but I don’t get to ring-fence the school holidays.’
“But the fact is that William and Catherine have a job for life: there is no retirement age for a king and queen. So I don’t begrudge them taking this valuable time to be with their young children as much as they can … “I’m sure they’ll welcome the chance to get away from the scandal surrounding [Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor].”
Showbiz Cheat Sheet acknowledges that conditions and cultures can impact body language and is sensitive to all backgrounds.
